18th Large Carved Walnut Medallion Depicting Samson And Delilah
Large oval medallion carved from walnut wood depicting Delilah cutting Samson’s hair, Italy, Venetian workshop, 18th century.
The subject of our work is recounted in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges (16:4–20): it depicts the episode of Samson and Delilah, an iconographic theme much beloved during the Baroque period, as it resonated with the era’s taste for the depiction of strong, conflicting, and often fatal passions.
The story tells of Samson, one of the judges of the Old Testament, an Israelite hero endowed with prodigious strength granted directly by God; he is known for his struggle against the Philistines to free the people of Israel but, despite himself, also for his tendency to succumb to feminine charms.
Fatal for him, in fact, will be the beautiful Delilah, a Philistine girl who makes him fall in love with her and to whom he reveals that the source of his strength lies in his hair: bribed by the Philistines, the girl, after lulling him to sleep, shaves off her beloved’s hair and then hands him over to the enemy.
In the painting, we see the climactic moment of the story: the hero, endowed with superhuman strength, lies asleep and vulnerable on Delilah’s lap; the woman, having seduced him, is about to deprive him of his divine power with a calm and precise gesture, cutting off his hair. Hidden behind a wall, a Philistine soldier watches the scene, waiting to capture him. The story represents the temptation that blinds the intellect, and is therefore often used for moralistic purposes, emphasizing how passion can dominate reason and strength.
Excellent condition, minor signs of age.
Dimensions
H 58 cm
W 50 cm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SHIPPING VIA MBE with UPS, TNT, FEDEX, and DHL couriers. Payment methods: Bank transfer - Online credit card (including AMEX) - PayPal (+3.7%) - NO checks +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The subject of our work is recounted in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges (16:4–20): it depicts the episode of Samson and Delilah, an iconographic theme much beloved during the Baroque period, as it resonated with the era’s taste for the depiction of strong, conflicting, and often fatal passions.
The story tells of Samson, one of the judges of the Old Testament, an Israelite hero endowed with prodigious strength granted directly by God; he is known for his struggle against the Philistines to free the people of Israel but, despite himself, also for his tendency to succumb to feminine charms.
Fatal for him, in fact, will be the beautiful Delilah, a Philistine girl who makes him fall in love with her and to whom he reveals that the source of his strength lies in his hair: bribed by the Philistines, the girl, after lulling him to sleep, shaves off her beloved’s hair and then hands him over to the enemy.
In the painting, we see the climactic moment of the story: the hero, endowed with superhuman strength, lies asleep and vulnerable on Delilah’s lap; the woman, having seduced him, is about to deprive him of his divine power with a calm and precise gesture, cutting off his hair. Hidden behind a wall, a Philistine soldier watches the scene, waiting to capture him. The story represents the temptation that blinds the intellect, and is therefore often used for moralistic purposes, emphasizing how passion can dominate reason and strength.
Excellent condition, minor signs of age.
Dimensions
H 58 cm
W 50 cm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SHIPPING VIA MBE with UPS, TNT, FEDEX, and DHL couriers. Payment methods: Bank transfer - Online credit card (including AMEX) - PayPal (+3.7%) - NO checks +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
980 €
Period: 18th century
Style: Other Style
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Solid wood
Width: 50
Height: 58
Reference (ID): 1750689
Availability: In stock
Print
